Falcons boot out Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson kept its flickering Final Four hopes while showing perennial contender National U the exit door with a convincing 53-41 win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Falcons stayed sharp from a 10-day break and scored a follow-up on their 45-37 defensive masterclass against the University of the East Warrior as Adamson leapt to solo fifth with a 5-7 win-loss slate.

More than just staying in the thick of the race, Adamson maintained control of its fate, with Santo Tomas (6-7) and also-ran Ateneo (3-9) as last assignments.

“Ang importante lang is buhay pa kami. That’s something we keep telling the players. Before the game, we told them about the alignment of stars. So, pumuporma,” said coach Nash Racela.

“But if we don’t do our part, it will not happen. That’s the challenge we told them before the game.”

Adamson, once way out of the race at 3-7, is now knocking on the semis door with the key win over NU led by AJ Fransman with career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds on top of three assists and a steal in only 22 minutes of play.

John Arthur Calisay chipped in seven with Matt Erolon, Cedrick Manzano and Matthew Montebon contributing six points each for the Falcons, who took flight to an 18-7 start and later led by as many as 16 points.

Later in the night, reigning champion La Salle kept its mastery of UP, 77-66, to clinch No. 1 seeding with a 12-1 record.

Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao (15), Mike Phillips (14) and Joshua David (10) were steady as the Archers completed a season sweep of their fierce rivals after a comfortable 68-56 win in the first round.